10 Secrets Of Disney’s Peter Pan’s Flight Ride That Will Change the Way You Look at It

Although it has been a Fantasyland staple for decades, Peter Pan's Flight remains one of the most popular attractions at the parks. This relatively short flying pirate ship ride over the lamp-lit streets of London and into the clouds above Neverland continues to enchant guests with its sense of adventure and nostalgia. It's just one of those Disney rides that appeals to the child in all of us.

My family frequently rope drops the one at Magic Kingdom, both because we enjoy a quintessential Fantasyland start to our Disney day, and to avoid the ever-increasing crowd levels in the attraction queue as the morning wears on. Our pixie-dust powered journey, from the Darling nursery to the top of Big Ben to the climactic duel between Peter Pan and Captain Hook aboard the Jolly Roger, sets the tone for a day of magic and childlike wonder at Disney World.

This story continues to resonate with guests. Many of us identify with the boy who never grew up—including Walt Disney. Neverland was clearly a direct influence on his vision for a place where kids of all ages could escape the trappings of everyday life and “enter a world of yesterday, tomorrow, and fantasy” together.

Fun Things to Know About Peter Pan's Flight

We've rounded up some of the most interesting facts and secrets about this classic Disney attraction, starting with its original debut at Disneyland. How much do you know about this fan-favorite?

It's Been Around Since the Beginning

There are very few original Disneyland attractions still operating today, and Peter Pan's Flight is one of them! Since the animated feature opened just two years before the first Disney park, Imagineers worked frantically to create a dark ride that would allow guests to “fly” on pirate ships through scenes from the movie in time for Disneyland's opening day on July 17, 1955. Due to an impending deadline, the length of the attraction was even shorter than it is now, with minimal animated figures and simple audio components.

Peter Pan Did Not Originally Make an Appearance

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Disney Imagineers envisioned Peter Pan's Flight as a voyage guests would experience from Peter's point of view, so he was notably absent from the original Disneyland version of the ride. This concept wasn't quite apparent to guests while riding the attraction, and many were disappointed by the exclusion of the mischievous young protagonist. As a result, Disney decided to add him to the Magic Kingdom version of the ride, which opened on October 3, 1971—two days later than the rest of the park. During its major expansion in 1983 as part of “New Fantasyland,” Disneyland finally added audio-animatronic Peter Pan figures to the dark ride, 30 years after it opened.

It Features a Common Disney Trick

Forced perspective is a design element Disney uses often to create optical illusions when there are limitations to what Imagineers can do with physical structures within the parks. Cinderella Castle at Magic Kingdom famously uses the technique to appear taller. Imagineers built the bottom portion of the castle at full scale and the upper levels of the castle at progressively smaller scales.

On Peter Pan's Flight, the construction of the buildings and scenery below gives guests the impression that they're higher up than they really are. Although the suspended track on the attraction ceiling only takes you 17 feet above the ground, forced perspective allows you to believe you're flying miles over London and the island of Neverland.

Old School Special Effects

There are some simple effects on Peter Pan's Flight that make the views from your pirate galleon even more magical. The first creates the appearance of passing cars on the nighttime streets of London. Those “cars” are actually drops of glow-in-the-dark paint on a bicycle chain, pulled by gears along the dark roads. It's such a small, quaint detail that enhances the overall look of the cityscape from above. Another charming special effect can be seen on the Neverland volcano—a stream of air blows tiny styrofoam balls out of the opening on top to make it seem as if lava is bubbling up from the depths below.

The One at Magic Kingdom Has an Interactive Queue

Because the line for Peter Pan's Flight is always one of the longest at the park, Disney added an elaborately-themed interactive queue to the attraction at Magic Kingdom back in 2015. Although you still may have to wait outside for a time, you'll soon file into an air-conditioned gallery displaying colorful maps of Neverland and the like. Then, you'll enter the home of the Darlings through a brick exterior with a terrace, where Nana the dog sits moping outside the door. Sepia portraits of the family hang in the hall on your way to the nursery, which is brimming with rich detail and interactive elements!

Tinkerbell flits around the room, from the toy chest to the bed linens (which form a makeshift sail for reenacting the exploits of our favorite Neverland hero), moving and shaking objects, filling them with light, and sprinkling pixie dust in her wake. Guests can even release her when she becomes trapped inside a lantern. On one wall, your shadow can ring shadowy bells, catch shadowy butterflies, and even try on shadow clothing, like Captain Hook's coat. The variety of effects in this room is so entertaining, you may not be ready to continue on when the line starts moving!

It's an Omni-Mover

Like Haunted Mansion, the PeopleMover, and Spaceship Earth, Peter Pan's Flight features continuously moving ride vehicles to expedite the loading process. Instead of stopping to allow guests to board a pirate ship, the Omni-Mover system uses a moving walkway that allows guests to travel at the same speed as the ride vehicles while they step inside. Unfortunately, Disney World's version at the Magic Kingdom doesn't even stop for ECV/wheelchair transfers, so guests must be ambulatory to ride.

There's a Hidden Mickey

As you're flying over London, there are so many sights to take in as you look down on Big Ben and the city lights, but keep an eye out for the full moon off to the side. You can see the shadows of Peter Pan, Wendy, John, and Michael crossing its face, and if you pass at just the right moment, you might be able to catch a glimpse of three craters that form a hidden Mickey on the surface.

Another Famous Disney Character Makes a Cameo

If you look closely as you pass Mermaid Lagoon on Magic Kingdom's version of the ride, you might notice a rather familiar mane of flaming red locks on one of the Neverland locals. Upon further inspection, you may realize this same resident is sporting a purple sea-shell top.

Yes, the mermaid in question is none other than Ariel, The Little Mermaid. Imagineers repainted one of the original mermaids to resemble the headstrong ocean princess during a refurbishment after the release of the popular animated feature.

There's One at Almost Every Disney Resort

There's a version of Peter Pan's Flight at every worldwide Disney resort— with the exception of Hong Kong. They all share similarities, but each one features its own unique touch of Disney magic.

Shanghai's version varies from the rest with its four-person ride vehicles—which can stop and change speed—and enhanced scenes from previous incarnations. It also features some new scenes, including a “splashdown” into Skull Rock (sign me up!).

Tokyo Disney just added a new Peter Pan ride with next generation technology as part of their $2 billion theme park expansion.

Walt Felt a Special Connection With Peter Pan

As a young boy living in Marceline, Missouri, Walt Disney saw a touring company's production of Peter Pan on stage, and it made an impression on him. Later, a classmate cast Walt in the starring role of his own version of the play. Of this experience, Walt said, “No actor ever identified with the part he was playing more than I.”

Developing an animated feature to tell the story of Peter Pan was something Walt wanted to do for a long time. He finally acquired the rights when he bought them from Paramount and signed a contract with the Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children in London, to which author JM Barrie originally gifted the copyright for the play and novel.

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